Razor and hair clipper



mme '15, 1937.

G. P. SCHMlTT RAZOR AND HAIR CLIPPER Filed Feb. 12, 1956 4 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTR. Geo/"ye /3/1//1/'0 .5c/vnf# aw-mf ATTORNEY.

luneI 15, 1937. G. P. SCHMITT 2,083,579

RAZOR AND HAIR CLIPPER Filed Feb. 12, 193e 4 sheets-sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

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June 35 1937. G. P. scHMa-r RAZOR AND HAIR CLIPPER 1. sheets-sheet 3 Filed Feb. l2), 1956 June i5, 1937. G. P. SCHMITT RAZOR AND HAIR CLIPPER 4 Sheets-sheet 4,

Filed Feb. l2, 1936 NVENTOR. y Georye Phi/IP 5 1mi- ATTORNEY.

Patented `lune 15, 1937 UNITED vSTATES PATENT oFFicE 2i Claims.

This invention relates to razors and hair clippers of the power driven type.

Power driven shaving r. clipping devices in vogue today usually employ a skin engaging plate 5 or member having a series or plurality of slots forming blades between the slots and a cutter having a plurality of cutting edges, located in the rear of said slotted member. The blades of the slotted member and the cutting edges of the m cutter cooperate to do the nipping or cutting of the hairs without the use of soap or a beard softener.

In this type of device the skin engaging member usually is in the form of a housing or bored l5 member having its plurality of alternate slots and blades arranged in its skin engaging surface. The cutter is usually in the form of a member having a plurality of slots forming the cutting edges and located and operatively connected for reciprocating movement in the housing or bore of the member. Means are provided for resiliently urging the cutter against the bladed and slotted portion of the housing. A passage is provided in the cutter so that the hair after being admitted through the slots in the skin engaging member and cut by the cutter and after passing through the slots in the cutter may be collected or thrown out by the angular movements of the device during the cutting operation. The cutter unit (which includes the slotted face engaging member and the movable cutter member) is permanently fastened to the handle'which carries the electric motor. is not self starting and requires manual effort to start the motor-shaft rotating.

The razors and hair clippers of the abovementioned type have many features which render their use objectionable. The methods of cutting employed cause painful pulling of hairs and do 40 not provide for a clean shearing and a. smooth close 'clipping'. 'I'heir vibration tires the hand of the user.

Because the hairs are not closely cut with present power-driven razor devices it is necessary to go over the same area so frequently that together with the constant pressure required for close contact with the area, pulling of the hairs and pinching of the skin cause an unpleasant and discomforting reaction in the user.

5.0 Power-driven razors and hair clippers of today do not effectively guide the hairs into the cutting members from lany angle but require exact positioning of the razor to be efective.

Furthermore, unless the cutter is placed at sub- :5 stantially a right angle with relation to the skin The motor in these conventional devices surface while in use, the hair guiding means usual in such razor due to faulty and inefiicient construction and lack of suitable provision will cause irritation of the skin. Furthermore, they require manual effort to start the motor-shaft rotating; and no provision is made for the ready removal of the cutter unit for repair or cleaning purposes.

It is an object of this invention to provide a power-driven razor which is economical, practical, eflcient and simple in construction; -which obvates the aforementioned disadvantages, and by which a clean, close shave may be obtained without the use of soap or a beard softener.

It is another object of this invention to provide a razor which cuts with a shearing or scissors-like action and which cuts the hairs precisely.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a power-driven razor with means to effectively and eiiiciently guide the hairs tobe out into the cutter from any angle.

A. still further object of this invention is to provide the shearing section of the device with guards, preferably adjustable, to 4permit adjustment of the cutter with relation thereto, and thus permit the desired contact with the hair or skin, and prevent irritation of the skin during manipulation of the device.

It is a further object of this invention to provide an instant and automatically starting powerdrivenrazor. l

A still further object of the invention is to provide a power-driven razor in which the driving mechanism can be removed as a unit from the device, by a mere lineal pull.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide a substantially vibrationless razor to insure easy and smooth manipulation.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of parts and in the unique relations of the members and in the relative proportioning and disposition thereof, all as more completely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the same by the numerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting certain forms of the invention have been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of Which:-

Fig. l is a sectional view of a power-driven cutter embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a complete razor made in accordance with the invention.

Fig. 5 is a top plan viewof the cutting elements, partly broken away.

5 Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional' view of the cutting elements on line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

lFig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 'l-T of Figure 6.

Fig. 8 is a perspective view in part of the cut- 10 ting elements.

Fig. Bg is an enlarged diagrammatic perspective view of adjacent slot and guide of stationary cutting element.

Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a retainer element.

Fig. 10 is a side elevational View, partly in section, of the operating unit removed from the housing Fig. 1l is a diagrammatic view of the operating lever and the motor rotor in starting positions.

l'ig. 12 is a diagrammatic View similarto Fig. ll but showing the motor rotor in dead position, from which the motor will not start by itsell.

lllg. i3 is a modified torni oi guard arrangement for the cutter elements.

Fig. li is a diagrammatic elevational View of a modied driving shalt arrangement with. automatic starter.

Fig. l5 is a sectional diagrammatic View oi a guard adjusting means taken along line oi Figure lil.

Fla. l5 is a diagrammatic side elevational View oi Figure maure if? is a diagrammatic side elevational view oil a modified form ci adjustable guard showthe eccentric adjusting serieu?.

Fig. lil is a partial side elevational View o showing the clamping screw.

ills. i9 is va cross-sectional View teiten along line lQ-ltol Fig. ll.

Fig. 2d is a diagrammatic View ol the relative dispositions oi the slots.

Fig. 2l. is a sectional View of a modified term oi cutter elements.

Fig 22 is a side View oi a portion thereo.

As an example of a device embodying the inrcntion, let the numeral dit generally represent the .razor or clipper, the casing or housing or" which may be substantially rectangular' in shape and may consist of a shell til, which may he metal. a bottom 2l andf top tti, which may be oi suitable -moulded composition. Top 28 is provided with threaded bushings 55 into which screws 55" are secured when assembling the shell 2G to the unit. Top 28 has a recess 29, into which cutter du is inserted. Cutter 30 may comprise two main parts. the combined hair guiding and slotted hollow stationary member or housing M having cutting edges and the longitudinally reciprocable hollow slide or cutter member 32 slidably received and guided in the hollow or slideway of member 3l. Members 3l and 32 may be substantially rectangular in shape but not necessarily so. Stationary member 3l may comprise two parts 3P, 3th, of which the lower part Bib may be made of a light weight material, such as, lor example, aluminum. Stationary member 3l is provided with a plurality f transverse parallelly-arranged preferably clsd slots 48 through 'which the hair is admitted, and the lower edges of whlclr'form cutting surfaces. These slots are formed between dat surfaced blades 4l having the wed'gedshaped or tapered ends 42 for facili- ,75 rating guidmg of the hairs into slots 4u. The

amavo movable member or cutter 32 is provided with a .plurality of transverse parallelly-arranged cutting preferably closed slots 39, which are disposed at an angle with respect to slots 40 as clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 8. Slots 39 are shorter in 5 length than slots 40. Arranging the slots 39 and i 40 at an angle with relatlonto each other assures a clean shearing oi of the hairs without thepulling action attendant in the use of other powerdriven razors. Opening 50 in cutter member permits the cut hair to Ifall through slots .69. Slots 39 provide cutting edges cooperable with blades 4i of the skin lengaging stationary member Si.

The central portion R of each slot 40 in sta- 15 tionary member 3i is equal in length to that of an imaginary line S drawn from end to end of angular slots 39 (Fig. 5) located in sliding imi/ie member 32, below stationary member 3i. portion R is slightly higher than the remaining end portions Pt' of slots Iii (Figs. il and to) blade il located between adjacent slots dll equal in length to that of slot lti. S' es ll have straight top surfaces, their tapered ends l2 will project beyond portion R above L tions El oi slots t@ producing guide wal" forming the substantially *l-shaped recesses if guiding the hairs into slots t0. Transverse ridges each having a curved surface are provider o* both ends of the stationary cutting element dll. Running longitudinally from ridge to rl preferably raised side-edge A betr.

which and the slots lili are the longitudinal s grooveso or recesses 5G. "llhe guards A protect slain against irritation which otherwise Wou suit from contact oi the with theedges on ends oi the hair guiding means di, F-lf, r mooi/es 5t permit the hairs to straighten ont thus freely be guided through recesses 'i7 into the lremovably held in recess 2S oi shoulder or top 2t andreleased by a lineal pull or movement thereof, a pin P being employed to properly locate the unit in the recess. The sliding knife member 32 is held in cutting Contact with the inner sur- 55 face of stationary slotted member 3l by means of pressure members which may be in the form and shape of lball-bearings, as illustrated, in which case the balls 44 are held under tension by means of a tension spring 45, which is secured in the opening 46 by means of a screw or plug 4l. The sliding knife member 32 is provided with a recess 48 into which extends the upper end of the reciprocating driver arm 4S. This recess 48 does not cut into the central opening 5U, thereby pre- 55 venting any of the cut hair entering the motor compartment 5|. The stationary element 30 is provided with a slot 52 longer than recess 48 and long enough to provide for the full lateral reciprocating movement of arm 49.

The electric driving motor with its rotor Si is mounted upon a U-shaped supportil having top and bottom flanges B8, B9, respectively. Projections 10 with screw threads are provided for assembly purposes. Screws 'l2 secure the motor 7 (lll lsupport 61 to top member 28 and screws 1| secure the motor support 61 to bottom 21. When desired to take the unit apart, screws 12 are removed and the support 61 will slide out of the shell 26 with the bottom member 21, which is separated from the remainder of said support by removal of screws 1|. Thetop and bottom members 21, 28 may be provided with ribs 13 between which the shell' 26 is clamped in the assembled position.

The vertical driver arm 49 rotates on pin 14 as Ya bearing, which pin is secured to flange 15 of support 61. The lower portion 16 of the driver arm 49 has a forked extension 11 which engages the eccentric 18 connected to motor shaft 83.

Rotation of motor shaft 83 rocks driver arm 49,

y 16 which in turn reciprocatescutter or knife 32.

Attached to plate 13 of motor 65 is an element |55 to which is secured one end of a leaf spring |56, the other end of which spring carries a contact point 82. 'I'he spring carries a block |58 by means of screw. |51. Contact point 8| is carried by an element |59 secured toplate 13.

Provision is made for automatic starting of the motor at all times and without requiring manually operable means such as a spinning wheel heretofore used. This may be accom.- plished as follows: A spring 19 secured to plate 13' by screw 85 is provided with a roller 80, continuously pressing against the arm 16. 'Ihe tendency of this spring mechanism is to urge arm 16 against the surface of eccentric 18, thereby returning the rotor 66 of motor 65 always to the starting position shown in Figs. 1 and.11 after the power has been disconnected and maintaining it there until the power has been reestablished. In this position, the terminals 8|, 82 constituting a circuit breaker for the motor are in closed contact. Rotation of motor shaft 83 will bring the second eccentric 84 carried by shaft 83 down upon block |58 as shown in Fig. 12, thereby breaking contact between points 8|, 82. If rotor 66 should stop in this position,vthe motor would not be able to start by itself, but of course, the continuously pressing roller prevents this.

The motor is connected to a source of electrical power by means of the conductors C, C', C", which are in turn connected to terminals 88, 89.

Prongs 86 pass through openings of bottom 21 and connect with terminals, 88, 89. A condenser 81 may be mounted across the two electric terminals '88, 89 to eliminate noise transmission to external electrical devices.

Y The foregoing self-starting means has been described with relation to a motor having a horizontal shaft. Fig. 14 diagrammatioally illustrates a self-starting means where a vertical motor shaft is used. In this case motor shaft 90 has at its upper end a driving eccentric 9|. An eccentric disc92 engages with a roller 93 mounted on a fork 94 which extendsjinto housingA 95; a tension spring 96 will always stop thc rotor 91 at starting position, when contacts 98,

99 are closed, by pressing against the lowest part of the eccentric 92. Housing 95 is mounted on a motor frame (not shown).

As previously stated, guards A may be employed to prevent the cutter unit irritating the skin while shaving. Relative vertical adjustment between the guards and the hair guiding and entering means is desirable. Various means for this purpose may be employed, two of which are shown in the drawings. For this purpose the cutter unit may be either raised and lowered with relation to the guards, or the guards may be raised and lowered with relation to the cutter unit. Figs. 15 and 16 illustrate the adjustment of cutter unit |00 with relation to guards A". Sloping guide slots |0I, |02 are provided in which slide the fingers |03, |04 of slide members |05, |06. A spindle |01 with a knob |08 is mounted at |09; both ends ||0, are threaded with 19, inclusive, has a guard |2| of `U formation yfitting over the cutter unit.

The center portion |22 is cut out, while the bridge members |23, |24 at both ends keep the unit rigidly connected. Rotatably mounted in the stationary cutting element |30 is a knob |25. Knob |25 operates an eccentric disc |26 mounted therein which raises or lowers the guard |2|. Screw |28 threadedly mounted in element |30 and carrying knob |21 slides in slot |29.

When tightened, this screw will secure guard |2| in its adjusted position. The cut away sides of the guards are turned in as at |30, |3| to provide smooth surfaces.

Figs. 1 to 8` illustrate a power-driven razor in which the guards A are made integral with the cutter unit. Fig. 13 illustrates guards A forming part of top member 28'.

Fig. 20 illustrates diagrammatically the relation of the slots |50 of the reciprocating cutter element to the slots |5| of the stationary cutting element. Reciprocating movement takes place between the points |508L and |50".

The electric elements, including the motor, and other driving parts are surrounded by an insulating sleeve |52. A sleeve |53 preferably made of felt or felt composition material is interposed between sleeve |52 and the shell 26 to minimize transmission of vibration.

Figs. 21, 22 illustrate the invention in a modified form. In this embodiment the face engaging cylindrical housing |65 has a longitudinal bore formed by the eccentrically arranged cylindrical wall |65' and located close to the top of the housing. Slidably arranged for reciprocative movement in opening |65 is a cylindrical l cutter |66 which'has an eccentric bore |61. The

cutter |66 may be provided with the angular transverse parallel slots |68 having cutting edges, and the housingl |65 with the straight parallel transverse slots |69. Formed between slots |69 are the blades having guide extensions |10, tapered toward their ends at |1|. Longitudinal grooves or recesses |12 are located adjacent the extremities or ends of the slots |69.

The tapered ends |1| and grooves |12 are for guiding the hair into the hair admitting or receiving slots |69 when the housing is held close to the skin during operation of the device. The extreme, raised, Walls |13 of recesses |12 provide guards for the purpose hereinbefore stated. Other guards, such as those, heretofore described, may be adapted to this'modied form.

The cutter |66 may be operatively connected for reciprocal and/or other movement with respect to housing |65 by any suitable means, such as for example, the means heretofore described with respect to the other figures.

It is believed from the above description that those skilled in the art will have no difficulty in understanding the construction, the method of use and operation of the device herein disclosed and a further detailed discussion thereof is un- Lil) necessary. The invention is of simple and prac-j tical construction and is adapted to accomplish am'ong others all of the objects and advantages herein set forth.

Without further analysis, the foregoing will soV fully revealthe gist of this invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting-certain features, that, from the standpoint of the prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specic aspects of this invention, and therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalency of the following claims.

l. A shaving device comprising a member` having a plurality of parallel slots with approximately parallel sides providing blades therebetween, another member below said iirst member and having a plurality of parallel` slots with approximately parallel sides providing cutting edges, the slots in o ne member being arranged at an angle with respect to the slots in the other member, the .blades and cutting edges of the respective members cooperating for shearing hair,

and means at Atlie longitudinal edge of the iirstmentioned member having an imperforate skinengaging surface for guarding the skin against irritation during thel cuttingl operation, and

means to reciprocate one member with relation to the other.

2. A shaving device comprising a member having a plurality of parallel closed slots providing blades therebetween, another member below said rst memberand having a plurality of parallel to reciprocate one closed slots providing cutting edges, the closed slots in one member being arranged at an angle with respectto the slots in the other member, the blades and cutting edges oi the respective '40 members cooperatingA for shearing hair, and

with said hollow, another member located within said hollow and having a plurality of parallel slots providing cutting edges, the slots yin one member being arranged at an angle with respect to the slots in the other member.l the blades and r cutting edges' of the respective members cooperating for shearing hair, andmeans at the longitudinai edge of the first-mentioned member having an imperforate skin-engaging surface for guarding the skin against irritation during the cutting operation, and means to reciprocate one member with relation to the other.

4. A shaving device comprising a hollow member havinga plurality of parallel slots providing blades therebetween and communicatingwith its hollow, another hollow member located within the hollow of said former member and having a plurality of parallel slots providing cutting edg and communicating with'its hollow, the slots in one member being arranged at an angle with respect to the slots in the other member,

the blades and cutting -edges of the respective members cooperating for shearing hair and means at the longitudinal .edge oi.' the first-mentioned member having an imperforate skin-engagingsuriacetorguardingtheskinagainstirritationduring the cutting operation', and means to reciprocate one member with relation to the other.

5. A shaving device comprising a hollow member having a plurality of parallel closed slots providing blades therebetween and communicating with its hollow, another hollow member located within the hollow of said former member and having a pluralityof parallel closed slots providing cutting edges and communicating with its hollow, the slots in one member being arranged at an angle with respect to the slots in the other member, the blades and cutting edges of the respective members cooperating for shearing hair, and means at the longitudinal edge of the firstmentioned member having an imperforate skinengaging surface for guarding the skin against irritation Aduring the cutting operation, and means to reciprocate one member with relation to the other.

6. In an article. of the character described, a cutter unit comprising a slideway element having 'a series of parallel slots, providing blades therebetween, a slide element for said slideway and having a series of parallel slots providing cutting edges, the slots of one series being located at an angle with respect to the slots of the other. series, the blades and cutting edges of the respective members cooperating for shearing hair, and guard means at the longitudinal edges of the slideway element having imperforate skin-engaging surfaces for guarding the skin against irritation during the cutting operation, and means to reciprocate one element with relation to the other.

'1. In an article of the character described a cutter unit comprising a slideway having a plurality of parallel closed slots providing blades therebetween, a slide foi` said slideway and havv ing a plurality oi.' parallel closed slots providing cutting edges, the slots of said slide being located at an angle with relation to the slots of said slideway, the blades and cutting edges of the respectivemembers cooperating for shearing hair, and guard means a't the longitudinal edges of the slideway having imperforate skin-engaging surfaces for guarding the skin against irritation during the cutting operation, and means to reciprocate said slide.

8. In a device of the character described, 'a

pair of 'cutter members, means for reciprocating one member relative to the other, said means including anv electric, motor having a rotatable part ing said member in said housing, said housing l -being provided with a longitudinal groove communicating with said slots for receiving hairs for guiding into said slots.

l0. A] hair` cutter comprising a member having a plurality oitransverse slots. a cutter element having a plurality of cutting edges, means bfor producing relative movement of said member and element, said member being provided with a longitudinal groove communicating with ends of said. slots for receiving hairs for guiding into said slots. 11. In a device of the character described having a cutter element, a skin engaging member provided with a plurality of transverse hair admitting slots closed at an end and cooperable with said element for cutting hair, said member being provided with a longitudinal groove communicating with the closed ends of said slots for receiving hairs guided into said slots when the device is in operation.

12. In a device of the character described having a cutter element, a skin engagingv member having a plurality of transverse hair admitting slots providing blades therebetween cooperable with said element, said blades having projecting ends, said member being provided with a longitudinal groove at each of said ends communicating with said slots, said ends and said groove for receiving and guiding hairs into said slots during operation of the device.

13. In a device of the character described having a cutter element, a skin engaging member having a plurality of transverse hair admitting slots providing blades therebetween cooperable with said element, said blades having projecting substantially tapered ends, said member being provided with a longitudinal groove at each of said ends communicating with said slots, said ends and said groove for receiving and guiding hairs into said slots during operation of the clev1ce.

14. In a device of the character described having a cutter element, a skin engaging member having a plurality of transverse hair admitting slots providing blades therebetween cooperable with said element, said blades having projections and the end portions of said slots being in a plane below that of their respective intermediate portions, said member being provided with longitudinal recesses communicating with the ends of said slots, said projections.v and recesses for receiving and guiding hairs into said slots during operation of the device. 4

15. In a device of the character described having a cutter element, a skin engaging member having a plurality of transverse hair admitting slots providing blades therebetween cooperable with said element, the end portions of said slots being in a plane below that of their respective intermediate portions, the longitudinal extremities of said member being above the ends of said slots providing guards and producing recesses between the guards and the ends of said blades for receiving hairs guided to said slots during operation of the device.

16. In a device of the character described having a cutter element, askin engaging member having a plurality of transverse hair admitting slots providing blades therebetween cooperable with said element, said member having longitudinal edges adjacent the ends of said blades raised to provide guards against irritation of the skin during operation of the device.

17. In a device of the character described having a cutter element, a skin engaging member having a plurality of hair admitting slots providing blades therebetween cooperable with said element, and means at the longitudinal edges of said member adjacent the ends of said blades and having imperforate upper edges for guarding the skin against irritation during operation of the device.

18. In a device of the character described having a cutter element, a skin engaging member having a plurality of hair admitting slots providing blades therebetween cooperable with said element, imperforate means at the longitudinal edges of said member adjacent the ends of said blades for guarding the skin against irritation during operation of the device, and means between said slots and said last means for guiding hair into said slots during operation of the device.'

19. In a device of the character described having a cutter element, a skin engaging member having a plurality of hair admitting slots providing blades therebetween cooperable with said element, means at the longitudinal edges of said member adjacent the ends of said blades for guarding the skin against irritation during operation of the device, and cam means for adjusting the relative height between said last means and said member.

20. In a device of the character described, a l

pair of cutter members, means for reciprocating one member relative to the other, said means including an electric motor having a rotatable part, a circuit breaker controllable by said rotatable part, an eccentric connected with said rotatable part, and resilient means connected with said eccentric for automatically moving said rotatable part into position to close the circuit breaker when the motor is stopped in position for starting.`

21. In a device of the character described having a cutter element, a skin engaging member having a plurality of hair admitting slots providing blades therebetween cooperable with said element, means at the longitudinal edges of said member adjacent the ends of said blades for guarding the skin against irritation during operation of the device, and wedging means for adjusting the height of vthe member relative to the guarding means. GEORGE PHILIP SCHMITT. 

